Letters from Iraq

[JEZ]

MargharitaLupita,

Thank you for sharing these amazing letters. I have never read anything like this before, and it gives pause to think of all the truly brave people in Iraq.

[jevans]

Thanks for the letters. I understand the day to day worry you are going through as my brother spent a year fighting in Iraq. The constant not knowing and waiting for the phone calls and the emails takes its toll on you. My brother's letters home are very similar as are my dad's from Vietnam.

My dad and my uncle were killed in the war in Vietnam and I can appreciate every last bit of freedom that I have. My heart swells with pride knowing the sacrifices these young men and women as well as their families at home make. We live in the greatest country in the world due to these sacrifices. God bless every one of them.

[PlayadelSoul]

Please thank him for his service, and let him know he and his family are in our thoughts. You have a good point about "dirty laundry", and I think it is vitally important that we see more of this kind of correspondence. When those of us who talk to military members on a regular basis try to spread the word that they believe in what they are doing, we are often told that it is a small, unrepresentative sampling. I think these letters show it is the norm.

Don't want to get political, but life is politics. Again, please thank him. This is one American that thinks what he is doing is vital to our national interest.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Please thank him for his service, and let him know he and his family are in our thoughts. You have a good point about "dirty laundry", and I think it is vitally important that we see more of this kind of correspondence. When those of us who talk to military members on a regular basis try to spread the word that they believe in what they are doing, we are often told that it is a small, unrepresentative sampling. I think these letters show it is the norm.

Don't want to get political, but life is politics. Again, please thank him. This is one American that thinks what he is doing is vital to our national interest.

Too late and too bad

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Jacko

Too late and too bad

I suppose we are supposed to ignore the contents of the letters.

[horizon200]

Please...let's keep this one about this young man serving in a tough situation. We beat each other up on the political threads enough.

[PlayadelSoul]

I thought I was, but I guess not. I will bow out after saying that I hope he gets all the support he needs and deserves, both in Iraq and at home.

[MargaritaLupita]

Open forum? fredom of speach? Might be worth fighting for? feel free say as you will. I am compleatly against this war, but totaly in support of those who are fighting it.

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by MargaritaLupita

Open forum? fredom of speach? Might be worth fighting for? feel free say as you will. I am compleatly against this war, but totaly in support of those who are fighting it.

I was actually thinking it was very admirable, considering your stance on the war, that you posted these. As far as commenting on anything outside of the content, I think we have plenty of other threads. It is nice to see that the extra troops take some of the pressure off, and it is nice to read that they are doing things they consider to be helpful and constructive. I will leave it at that. Thanks again for posting these.

[jessiep]

Well,I just feel I have to give my 2 cents.I don't claim to be a General,But telling the enemy when you are leaving has got to be dumb thing to do.I understand politics and all,But that is just crazy.Why would any party support that.

[MargaritaLupita]

For those who are enjoying these I will post a few more:
3/20 Hello everyone well I dont know if you all have herd yet but I will be
comming home around the 4 of april for about two weeks. I dont know what I
will be doing but I hope that I get to see you all. Well back here things
are going well we are on the verg of another huge operation so I may be out
of the loop for a wile but I shure hope not. The deal with the phones and
internet are everytime some one is killed or seriousley injured they shut
the phones and net off for ushualy about three days. This is so that the
millitary can inform the family members of what has happened and not one of
the fallen soldiers comrades. Any way the threat of chemical war fare has
risen again and soon we will all be out fitted with chemical mask in case of
a attack, we are all pissed off about it because its just more bull shit and
more weight for crying out loud I already cary any ware from 60 to 100
pounds on my body at a time. My new job is going very well I wont get into
details just that bussiness is good. The best news is is that we are
steadley geting new soldiers in almost every two to four weeks witch is
really nice. Bad news is that the rumors are flying about our 3 to 6 month
extension and ushaualy most rumors in the army carry a strong amount of
truth. Well Im gonna get going, so I love you all very much and cant wait to
see you all.

love Justin
4/30 Hea everyone well Im back and safe. It was a long trip and much harder
coming back than before. You all were so great and I love you all so much.
It has been difficult adjusting back especialy now that I realize how great
life is back home and the reality of life in Iraq. Well I have to go and
also dont be suprised if you all dont here from me much. The mission is
changing and I cant guarentee that I will have great contact for a wile. If
anyone needs to fing out what im doing or check and see if I have checked in
a wile call Ashley, she has my cell phone, if I call or write anyone it will
be her and Emily. Again thank you all so much for every thing.

love Justin

5/19 Hello everyone I hope that you all are doing well. Well not much going on
here, we have changed areas and for the most part things are very very
quiet. There are several rumors going around one is that we have killed most
of the insurgents in the area from the six months of continueness
operations, this is bull shit and no one is buying it. The other is that the
majority of the resistance has fled to Baghdad for there last stand witch is
a strong possibality but still unlikley, do to the risk of travel and the
fact that Ramadi is a sunni strong hold. The other is the most likley
possibality and that is that the insurgents have now joined the U.S desinged
Iraq Police department. Every were we look now there are Iraqis running
around with AK-47 and pistols the thought is is that after we cleaned house
for about 5-6 months they realized that they were no match for us and now
have worked there way into the Police department. This is very alarming
because now we are completly surronded by them and have no idea who is who.
Its very smart though not only can they get close to us but they also can
regroup and in the future have much greater power than just conducting
gurrillia warfare. Especially now that we are arming them and supplying
them. It is very desterbing in many ways but in other ways its nice the
attacks have gone way down and the threat level is less. but are they just
waiting to strike that is what we are all waiting for. Any way I miss all of
you very very much and hope all is well.

love Justin

[MargaritaLupita]

Thought I would bring this to the top for the holiday.

[STOGEY]

This enitre thread has been quite useful. We don't always get a chance to read about what is really going on behind the lines.

[MaripositaII]

Originally Posted by MargaritaLupita

Open forum? fredom of speach? Might be worth fighting for? feel free say as you will. I am compleatly against this war, but totaly in support of those who are fighting it.

Same here. The military personnel are just doing their job so I am not against them. Our young neighbour leaves for Iraq next month. Once again, thanks for posting your personal emails. I think it's admirable that you want to share them, and so glad that you haven't been ridiculed for doing so. Take care.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by MargaritaLupita

Open forum? fredom of speach? Might be worth fighting for? feel free say as you will. I am compleatly against this war, but totaly in support of those who are fighting it.

I hope we all atleast support the people who are fighting the war.